Essential Oils for Respiratory Conditions

Along with your heart, your respiratory system is responsible for some of the most vital functions of your body. A decreased level of respiratory function – whether minor or serious – can have adverse effects on your physical and mental health. Although nothing can substitute a healthcare provider’s diagnosis and treatment of major respiratory issues, there is a wealth of natural strategies available to heal minor ailments. One such strategy is the use of aromatherapy: a system in which natural essential oils are used to alleviate, heal, and protect against respiratory troubles.

Essential Oils for Respiratory Conditions

Essential oils, used in aromatherapy, work in two ways:1) Being antibacterial and antiviral, they can directly attack germs and kill them at the root.2) They stimulate our immune systems to be better prepared at fighting off disease before they have a chance to set up shop in our bodies. When it comes to respiratory conditions, some essential oils work better than others.

“The use of essential oils is a sure way of avoiding the phenomenon of developed resistance in microbes as experienced with antibiotics, because the aromatic essences are able to destroy even the resistant strains selectively.” [1]

Expectorant essential oils for coughs and catarrh include:

“It is wise to avoid any possible resistance on the part of a germ by always prescribing the use of three or four essential oils in combination. This multimix approach will tend to minimize any risk of acquired resistance to any one oil and it is unlikely that bacteria will be resistant at the same time to the other oils in the mix.” [2]

Stress and insomnia often accompany respiratory illnesses – and aromatherapy is a great way to unwind. To relax your body and mind, add 3 drops each of Frankincense, Palo Santo and Lemon essential oils to half a cup of salts in your bathwater, and take a restoring, soothing bath before bed.

“When acute stages of a disease are dealt with successfully by implementing natural medicine treatments, it marks a turning point in the underlying illness“. Dr Daniel Pénoël [3]

Methods of Application:

Vaporizer An effective method of use with a sick child. Add a total of 10 drops of chosen essential oil or oils to water, run overnight. Note, there’s a slight risk essential oils may damage a humidifier.

Steam Inhalation Add a total of 3 drops of essential oils to a bowl of warm water and inhale for around 10 minutes to ease blocked sinuses, chest complaints and colds. Close eyes and cover head with towel. Care should be taken to ensure not to burn with water or steam. Not to be used by asthma or allergy sufferers.

Born and raised in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, Cristina's memories are always related to the scents of her homeland. A professional Aromatherapist since 1994, Cristina received her Complementary Health Education Diploma in Aromatherapy in 1997 from the Kevala Center in the U.K., and advanced her studies in 1998 when she took the International Training Program in Essential Oils at Purdue University in Indiana.
Cristina has more than 14 years of experience formulating aromatherapy products for the spa, fitness and hospitality industry and speaking with North and South American audiences on television and radio as well as in seminars and workshops.
She is eager to share her successful experience and the therapeutic values of her homeland's pure healing ingredients.